Well joe the real mechanic, tell us what would happen if he just twisted the old filter off then twisted the new filter on, would the van start? No.
You need to fill the new filter up with diesel at the very least, I would go through the bleeding procedure but would need more info on the van including engine size, output and year.
But hay I'm just full of s**t and have probably never seen a transit in my life.....
MrMPuk
September 2008